Chicken and beef are versatile in any cuisine; however, some might find difficulty finding the perfect herbs and spices to make your chicken or beef dish stand out. Here is a list of spice and herb blends that will help you spice up the flavour of your chicken and meat recipes.
Paprika and garlic powder
Paprika is a great spice that makes any chicken dish stand out, it comes in many forms sweet, hot, regular and smoky. Adding paprika to chicken gives it an irresistible savoury and warm flavour. Garlic is a universal spice found almost in every cuisine. Garlic basically works with any chicken dish whether you’re planning on making a warm bowl of chicken soup, a fiery chicken curry or a tangy chicken alfredo. Adding both spice blends will add a thrilling aromatic touch that will help elevate your dish and take it to the next level.
Basil and rosemary
This delicate spice can be paired with any beef dish. It gives an interesting sweet and refreshing flavour, making a hearty meat dish brighter and delicious. This aromatic herb also comes with many health benefits, it is a great source of iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Rosemary enhances the flavour of many lamb and beef dishes, just place a few sprigs of fresh rosemary or sprinkle dried rosemary on top of the meat before roasting. Basil and rosemary make a great marinade ingredient for Mediterranean-style meat dishes but be careful when adding rosemary because this rich herb can overpower the flavour of your meat dish so use it wisely.
Ginger and lemongrass
No Asian or Indian chicken dish would be complete without this sweet and peppery spice. It is often the star of dishes such as chicken stir-fry, butter chicken and spicy chicken tikka masala. Ginger contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can improve the immunity of the body. Indigenous to southeast Asia, lemongrass is a star ingredient in Vietnamese and Thai cuisines especially in soups and noodle dishes. If you are looking to cook a fresh and flavorful Asian chicken dish, then ginger and lemongrass are the prefect spice blends to use.
Turmeric and chili
This bright yellow rich spice is commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s the essence of every chicken curry, stew and roast dish. However, make sure to be extra careful when you sprinkle turmeric into your dish because the bright yellow colour will stain everything, from clothes to cooking utensils. If you want to balance out your turmeric-based dish, then chili powder is the right spice to use. This fiery spice is also packed with vitamin C which helps boost immunity and can heal injuries and infections.
Coriander and cumin
Coriander seeds give any chicken dish a bright citrusy flavour, it is mostly used in a range of Asian, Middle Eastern and Latin dishes. Coriander pairs well with chicken curries or a quick nutritious chicken lettuce wrap. Cumin is greatly present in Mexican dishes; no chicken enchilada or chicken quesadilla dish is complete without this earthy spice. Coriander and cumin are a great spice blend to experiment with when preparing chicken dishes, here is your chance to bring something new to the dinner table.
Now that you know the most common spice blends that perfectly tie any chicken or beef meal, it’s time to get cooking. But first head to the Waterfront Market and pick up fresh spices and herbs to season your meal. The Waterfront Market offers the widest selection of aromatic and vibrant spices and herbs.
FAQs
Or cut to the chase with this list of fresh herbs that make meat sing, and are easily used in marinades:
- Chicken: basil, chervil, chives, cilantro, dill, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, tarragon, thyme.
- Beef: basil, chives, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, tarragon, thyme.
Brining your chicken is a foolproof way to not only add flavour to your roast but also to ensure you don't overcook the meat. Essentially a mix of salt, sugar and water, we love adding herbs, garlic or whole spices such as fennel and cumin to flavour the brine.
How to make chicken more flavorful? ›
It's best to marinate your chicken overnight to give the flavours plenty of time to infuse. A faster way to add flavour is to simply brine your chicken in salty water prior to cooking. This will help tenderise the meat and add extra flavour.
What is the king of all spices? ›
Black pepper is known as ''King of Spices''. Black pepper is produced from the still-green, unripe drupes of the pepper plant.
What spices do chefs use the most? ›
We surveyed professional chefs to find out their single favorite spice. Some said their favorites were basic staples like black peppercorn, ginger, and nutmeg. Others named spices with more regional specificity, like sumac, Calabrian chili, or Perilla seeds.
What seasoning gives a meaty taste? ›
- Black pepper: Brings out the robust flavors of beef. - Cumin: Provides an earthy and slightly nutty taste to beef dishes. - Oregano: Works well with ground beef and adds a Mediterranean touch. - Mustard seeds: Adds a mild tang and complements the richness of beef.
What is the best spice for meat? ›
Beef tastes great when seasoned with oregano, rosemary, sage, garlic or a combination of these seasonings. Poultry gets an added burst of flavor with spices like paprika, lemongrass and saffron. Fish can be made more flavorful with dry mustard powder, thyme and turmeric.
What seasoning makes meat tender? ›
Choose your tenderizer—salt, baking soda, citrus, or vinegar. Patricia was the assistant food editor at Southern Living and worked with the Southern Living food team from 2006-2022.
What seasoning tastes good on everything? ›
Seasoning Ingredients
- Granulated Garlic.
- Granulated Onion.
- Smoked Paprika.
- Kosher Salt.
- Dried Dill Weed.
- Ground Coriander.
- Black Pepper.
- Optional, Red Chili Flakes.
The infographic above shows that, surprisingly, cumin is the most popular spice in the world, and coriander (or cilantro) is the most commonly used herb. In Europe and Africa, garlic is the most common among all dishes considered, and—no surprises here—oregano is common in the Mediterranean regions.
It is, therefore, important that farmers know, in particular, some plants that can be used to treat chicken diseases. These are pepper, aloe vera, sisal leaves, neem, papaya (papain), cinnamon, garlic (allicin), thyme and Oregon.
What herb blend for chickens? ›
My Top Herb Choices For Chicken Care
If I could only grow a few herbs I would choose Mint, Oregano, Basil, Thyme, Lavender and Sage. As far as chicken keeping and animal care needs, Sage and Oregano are great for intestinal health and to ward off infections from Salmonella and Coccidiosis (cocci).
What seasoning is good for poultry? ›
Poultry seasoning is a must for any home kitchen. It's a combination of herbs and spices like nutmeg, sage, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, and black pepper, and is much more than a seasoning for chicken, turkey, or duck.
How to add herbs to chicken feed? ›
I just mix the dried, crushed herbs in a large bowl and then add a few cupfuls to each bucket of feed when I mix up my Breakfast of Champion Layers for happy, healthy chickens with strong immune systems.
